Mobile revetment

ABSTRACT

A mobile revetment of vehicular form. Armor plate is normally stored in a stowed, retracted position on a low slung wheeled frame. Self-contained power means deploys the armor and controls its return to retracted position. The device has connections on its ends so that multiple units may be towed as a train for disposing in protective array. In a stowed condition units may be stacked one upon another for ease of transportation.

I United States Patent 1 1 3,590,685

[72] Inventor Frank B. Lane 1,213 O74 1/1917 Clark A v 89/366 Dayton,0hio 1.327,326 1/1920 Howland 89/36 G [21] Appl. No. 800,564 3,478,643 11/1969 Forsyth et al. 89/36T 1 E 5 f r-fig? FOREIGN PATENTS 4 atente u y Assign United Aircn Products he. 496,636 11/1919 France 89/36 G Dayton, Ohio Primary ExaminerBenjamin A Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Att0rney l. E. Beringer [54] MOBILE REVETMENT 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 89/36 G,

109/49-5 ABSTRACT: A mobile revetment of vehicular form. Armor [S1] lnt.Cl F41h 5/14 plate is normany stored i a flowed, retracted position on a of Search R, low slung wheeled frame Selflcontained ower means de loy 36 G; 109/495 the armor and controls its return to retracted position. The device has connections on its ends so that multi le units may [56] References Cited be towed as a train for disposing in protective array. in a UNITED STATES PATENTS stowed condition units may be stacked one upon another for 38,845 6/1863 Saviers 89/36 G ease of transportation.

PATENTED JUL 6 l9?l 3; 590,5 5

sum 1 or 2 FIG-l INVENTOR FRANK B. LANE 6 ms arrjmvsr PATENTEDJUL 6l97l 3,590 5 5 SHEET 2 BF 2 F IG "4 35 illh 46 IN VE' IV TOR FRANK B. LANE HIS ATTORNEY MOBILE REVETMENT This invention relates to military and like revetments, and has particular reference to mobile revetments useful, for example, in the protection of parked aircraft.

Revetments have a known value in shielding parked aircraft from damage by shell fragments and like explosive and incendiary action. As heretofore known, however, they are in the form of fixed or semipermanent permanent installations. As such, they have limited utility, and, since they must be individually constructed at the point of use, may not be available to respond to instant need.

The present invention introduces a concept of mobility into military revetments. It proposes vehicular units which can be assembled into a train, towed into position and operated to deploy normally stowed armor plate. A protective shield thereby is raised interposing a wall or revetment intermediate a parked aircraft and potential assault. In a stowed condition the units are readily stacked for ease of transportation. According to a feature of the invention, the revetment units are transportable, as by cargo aircraft, to any location of intended use and then quickly and easily assembled into train form and towed into position. They are thus readily available where needed, are instantly adaptable to changing shielding requirements and in moving from place to place require no dismantling or reconstructing. The invention, while satisfying a need in military operations, as noted, has a more general application to any and all situations in which it may be desirable to raise temporary barriers, fortifications and the like.

It is the object of the invention to provide mobile revetment means of military and general use, substantially as described.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will appear from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a pair of revetment units in a connected relation with the armor plate thereof deployed;

FIG. 2 is a detail top plan view of the chassis portion of a revetment unit, enlarged with respect to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly diagrammatic, of a train composed of multiple revetment units in a stowed condition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a singlerevetment unit and relatively enlarged;

FIG. 5 is a view in end elevation of a revetment unit with the armor plate thereof deployed; and

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section, looking toward the rear of the unit and showing the armor plate in a stowed or retracted position.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 2, the chassis portion of a revetment unit in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises front and rear axles l and 11 (see also FIGS. and 6). Pivotally connected to the front axle 10 (FIG. 5).are laterally projecting wheel arms 12 and 13. Similarly mounted to the rear axle 11 are wheel arms 14 and 15. On the projecting ends of arms l2-l5 are wheels 16. The axle 10 has portions overlying arms 12 and 13 and interposed coil springs 17 and 18 cushion rocking movements of the wheels. Similar springs 19 and 21 are disposed in like manner to cushion the action of wheel arms 14 and 15. y

In overlying relation to the axles l0 and 11 is a frame formed integrally of side rails 22 and 23, an interconnecting brace 24 and load bearing crossbeams 25 and 26, the latter respectively overlying the front and rear axles. interposed between the beam 25 and underlying axle I0 is a swivel joint comprising a plate 27 fixed to the underside of beam 25 and a mating bearing plate 28 fixed to the axle l0. Pivot means (not shown) connects the plates 27 and 28 at their centers. The arrangement is one by which axle 10 is connected to the beam 25, and to the frame of which it is a part, for unison longitudinal motion but is capable of relative turning motion in an an.- gular sense. The rear beam 26 is connected to and supported on rear axle I] by spacers 29 and 31. For towing connections a fixed pintle rod 32 is fixed to and projects rearwardly of the axle ll. Yoke means 33 is attached to and projects forwardly of swivel plate 28. The arrangement is one in which chassis units may be coupled together to form a train. The yoke 33 attaches to a pintle 32 of a leading unit, or to a towing vehicle, and allows steering of the unit through turning movements.

On the side rail 23 are hinge elements 34. A plate element 35 is adapted to lie flat on the chassis frame and has dependent brackets 36 making an appropriate pinned or hinged connection to the hinge elements 34. Brackets 36 depend from side margins of the plate element 35. which is thus connected to the chassis frame for relatively pivotal or tilting motion about one of its side margins. The opposite side edges of plate element 35 is formed with hinge portions 37 by which there is pivotally connected to element 35 a like plate element 38. On one end of the plate 38, adjacent the hinged connection with plate element 35, is an integrally formed stub shaft 39 to which is made fast a pulley 41. A cable 42 has one end mounted to the pulley 41 and secured thereto. The other end of cable 42 extends to front axle 10 and is there suitably anchored.

At corresponding ends thereof the plate elements 35 and 38 are cut away at their comers to define respective inclined surfaces 43-43 and 44-44. Fixed to one side surface of the plate element 35 is a bracket 45 to which is pivotally connected one end of a gap closure plate 46. A bracket 47 on the plate element 38 similarly pivotally mounts a gap closure plate 48. The arrangement of parts is one in which the closure plates 46 and 48 may be moved alternatively from a stowed position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 to an operating position as shown in full lines therein. In the full line position, the gap closure plates tend to bridge the space between adjacent revetment units. A pin 49 installed in the plate element 35 holds the gap closure plate 46 in a stowed position. A like pin 51 performs the same function in connection with gap closure plate 48.

A hydraulic cylinder 52 is based on a bracket 53 dependent from side rail 22. A piston rod 54 extends from cylinder 52 and is connected to a bracket 55 mounted to the underside of plate element 35 near the middle thereof. A hydraulic pump suitably attached to the frame and operable by hand or otherwise has a connection to cylinder 52 whereby thecylinder and its piston 54 may effect a powered raising of plate element 35 about hinges 34 and control the lowering thereof.

In the use of a mobile revetment device in accordance with the invention, single units are normally in a condition as illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein piston rod 54 is retracted within cylinder 52, allowing plate element 35 to assume a position of rest on the supporting body or frame. Plate element 38 is at this time folded about hinge elements 37 and rests in a superposed'relation upon plate element 35. Gap closure plates 46 and 48 are at this time rocked to a nonoperating position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. This is a lowered or stowed position of the parts and the device is at this time adapted for storing or for transportation. In the latter connection, it will be noted that the plate elements extend laterally to a substantially overlying relation to wheels 16. Units accordingly may be stacked one upon another for compact loading of a cargo aircraft or the like. To erect or to deploy the plate elements, pump 56 is actuated to apply pressure in cylinder 52. The result is to extend rod 54, raising or tilting upward the plate element 35 about hinge portions 34. In the process of raising plate element 35, slack is removed from cable 42 and as raising motion of plate element 35 continues a rotary motion of 4041 is constrained to take place. In response thereto, plate element 38 rocks about hinge portions 37 in an unfolding sense. The motion is continued at a predetermined ratio in such manner that when plate element 35 assumes a fully raised position as shown in FIG. 5, the plate element 38 has completed approximately of movement and so is substantially aligned with element 35 as a continuation thereof. Together, plate elements 35 and 38 provide an inclined revetment of substantial height. The gap closure plates 46 and 48 are rocked to the full line position shown in FIG. 4.

A pair of leaf spring elements 57 are fastened to the underside of plate element 35 to extend beyond what may be considered the upper or outer side edge thereof. Near the end of its unfolding motion, the plate element 38 encounters the projecting ends of springs 57 and in moving to final deployed position stress such springs. There is accordingly stored in the springs 57 a force effective upon descent of the plate element 35, and thereby release of the anchoring impulse exerted by cable 42, to rock plate element 38 an arcuate distance sufficient to move it through and beyond a vertical position. At this point plate element 38 tends to descend by gravity back toward its normally folded position upon plate element 35. Accordingly, in lowering the revetment device the hydraulic pressure in cylinder 52 is slowly released, allowing plate element 35 to descend toward its seat on the frame. At the same time, plate element 38 is rocked initially by springs 57 to position to be influenced by the pull of gravity and thereafter moves toward a folded position upon plate element 35 in response to and in accordance with the rate of permitted movement of plate element 35.

The plate elements 35 and 38 are armor plates made resistant to ballistic action. Closure elements 46 and 48 are similarly constructed and, as may be seen in FIG. I, when the closure members are in place, the gap between leading and trailing units of a revetment train are substantially bridged. Also as indicated in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 5, the plate ele ment 35 is laterally extended in such manner that in an elected or deployed position a lower side margin thereof approaches ground contact and offers substantial protection to the wheels 16. Assembled in a train, multiple units can be towed and positioned as desired. Forward ends of the units are steerable, through the independent connection afforded by yoke 33, and leading units are capable of substantial turning motion relative to trailing units, as in the manner indicated in FIG. 3. The cutoff comers of the plate elements allow relative turning motions on the order of 45 without interfering contact between adjacent units.

The mobile revetment device is useful alone or in combination with other units and has evident military, police and general utility. A preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated but it will be evident that structural modifications within the scope of the claims to follow are possible, and contemplated.

Iclaim:

l. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said armor plate means comprising a pair of plate elements one of which has a hinged connection along one side edge to said body and a hinged connection along the opposite side edge to a corresponding side edge of the other element, said elements in a stored position being folded upon one another at rest on said body and in a deployed position being raised from said body with said other element unfolded and disposed as an extension of said one element, the means for deploying and for controlling the retracting means of said armor plate means including operating means positively connected to raise and lower said one plate element and interconnecting means responsive to raising of said one element to unfold said other element.

2. A mobile revetment device according to claim I, characterized by means for biasing said other element toward a folded position, said other element being released to control of said biasing means in response to lowering of said one element.

3. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said deploying means including self-contained power means for raising said armor plate means from a stored position, said armor plate means including a plurality of plate elements folded in a superposed relation when stored and unfolded in response to deployment to achieve an operative height exceeding that of individual elements, a first plate element being pivotally connected along one side edge to said body to be raised about said side edge when deployed and a second plate element being pivotally connected to the other side edge of said first element to fold thereon, and a connection between said other element and said body whereby a raising motion of said one element is used to move said other element pivotally through an arc of approximately I to serve as a substantially aligned continuation of said one element in an extended position.

4. A mobile revetment device according to claim 3, characterized by means effective upon lowering of said one element to bias said other element out of aligned position to be restored to folded position in response to lowering of said one element and under control of said connection, said biasing means being mounted on said first element and being stressed by said second element as said elements reach extended position.

5. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said body including a frame and front and rear axles supported thereby, said supports comprising wheels connected to said axles and disposed in underlying offset relation to said frame, said armor plate means including a plate element longitudinally hinged along one side margin to a side of said frame and projecting laterally at said side margin to overlie adjacent front and rear wheels on said one side, said means for deploying said armor plate means serving to tilt said plate element upwardly about its hinged connection to said frame, the laterally projecting portion of said plate element moving thereby into protective relation to said front and rear wheels on said one side.

6. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said body including a frame and front and rear axles supported thereby, said supports comprising wheels connected to said axles and disposed in underlying offset relation to said frame, said armor plate means including a plate element hinged along one side margin to a side of said frame and projecting laterally at said side margin to overlie adjacent wheels, said means for deploying said armor plate means serving to tilt said plate element upwardly about its hinged connection to said frame, the laterally projecting portion of said plate element moving thereby into protective relation to said adjacent wheels, said armor plate means including another plate element hinged to the first plate element along the opposite marginal edge thereof and in a stored position of said elements occupying a folded position upon said first element with both at rest on said frame, a pulley attached to said second plate element and a cable connected at one end to said pulley and anchored at its other end to said frame whereby upward tilting movement of said first plate achieves an unfolding of said second plate element through an arc of approximately whereby in an extended position of the armor plate means the second plate element serves as a continuation of the first plate element.

7. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, said body including a rectangular frame, front and rear sets of wheels at the opposite ends of said frame supporting the body in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, connections at the ends of said frame whereby like multiple devices may be connected in end-to-end relation to form a train for towing and for joint deployment, armor plate means having a configuration substantially corresponding to that of said frame and adapted to assume a position of rest superposed thereon, said armor plate means being pivotally connected along a longitudinal line laterally offset from the major axis thereof to said frame to be raised to a tilted position facing one side of the device, said connections providing for a close coupled relation of adjacent devices whereby raised armor plate means of a train of devices presents an elongated substantially continuous revetment.

8. A mobile revetment device according to claim 7, wherein said armor plate mean has a length and width to overlie front and rear wheels on at least one side of the frame, the longitudinal line along which the armor plate means is connected to said frame being substantially at one side edge of said frame and spaced inwardly of the corresponding side of said armor plate means whereby in a raised position said corresponding side edge of said armor plate means tilts downward toward ground surface in a protective relation to the wheels on said one side of the frame.

9. A mobile revetment device according to claim 8, characterized by means for raising and for controlling the lowering of said armor plate means, including hydraulic piston-cylinder means disposing transversely of the frame and connected at one end to said armor plate means on the underside thereof, the other end being based substantially at the opposite or other side edge of said frame.

10. A mobile revetment device according to claim 7, characterized by closure means pivotally mounted on said armor plate means adjacent to at least one end 'thereof, said closure means being relatively adjustable to a projecting position substantially bridging the gap between the trailing end of the armor plate means of one device and the leading end of the armor plate means of the next adjacent trailing device, said closure means having a stored position substantially within the bounds of the armor plate means to which it is mounted. 

1. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said armor plate means comprising a pair of plate elements one of which has a hinged connection along one side edge to said body and a hinged connection along the opposite side edge to a corresponding side edge of the other element, said elements in a stored position being folded upon one another at rest on said body and in a deployed position being raised from said body with said other element unfolded and disposed as an extension of said one element, the means for deploying and for controlling the retracting means of said armor plate means including operating means positively connected to raise and lower said one plate element and interconnecting means responsive to raising of said one element to unfold said other element.
 2. A mobile revetment device according to claim 1, characterized by means for biasing said other element toward a folded position, said other element being released to control of said biasing means in response to lowering of said one element.
 3. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said deploying means including self-contained power means for raising said armor plate means from a stored position, said armor plate means including a plurality of plate elements folded in a superposed relation when stored and unfolded in response to deployment to achieve an operative height exceeding that of individual elements, a first plate element being pivotally connected along one side edge to said body to be raised about said side edge when deployed and a second plate element being pivotally connected to the other side edge of said first element to fold thereon, and a connection between said other element and said body whereby a raising motion of said one element is used to move said other element pivotally through an arc of approximately 180* to serve as a substantially aligned continuation of said one element in an extended position.
 4. A mobile revetment device according to claim 3, characterized by means effective upon lowering of said one element to bias said other element out of aligned position to be restored to folded position in response to lowering of said one element and under control of said connection, said biasing means being mounted on said first element and being stressed by said second element as said elements reach extended position.
 5. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said body including a frame and front and rear axles supported thereby, said supports comprising wheels connected to said axles and disposed in underlying offset relation to said frame, said armor plate means including a plate element longitudinally hinged along one side margin to a side of said frame and projecting laterally at said side margin to overlie adjacent front and rear wheels on said one side, said means for deplOying said armor plate means serving to tilt said plate element upwardly about its hinged connection to said frame, the laterally projecting portion of said plate element moving thereby into protective relation to said front and rear wheels on said one side.
 6. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, supports mounting said body for towing and in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, armor plate means carried by said body in a pivotally connected relation thereto, and means for deploying said armor plate means to an extended operative position relatively to said body and for controlling retraction thereof to a relatively stored position, said body including a frame and front and rear axles supported thereby, said supports comprising wheels connected to said axles and disposed in underlying offset relation to said frame, said armor plate means including a plate element hinged along one side margin to a side of said frame and projecting laterally at said side margin to overlie adjacent wheels, said means for deploying said armor plate means serving to tilt said plate element upwardly about its hinged connection to said frame, the laterally projecting portion of said plate element moving thereby into protective relation to said adjacent wheels, said armor plate means including another plate element hinged to the first plate element along the opposite marginal edge thereof and in a stored position of said elements occupying a folded position upon said first element with both at rest on said frame, a pulley attached to said second plate element and a cable connected at one end to said pulley and anchored at its other end to said frame whereby upward tilting movement of said first plate achieves an unfolding of said second plate element through an arc of approximately 180* whereby in an extended position of the armor plate means the second plate element serves as a continuation of the first plate element.
 7. A mobile revetment device, including a relatively light weight transportable body, said body including a rectangular frame, front and rear sets of wheels at the opposite ends of said frame supporting the body in a stable low slung relation to ground surface, connections at the ends of said frame whereby like multiple devices may be connected in end-to-end relation to form a train for towing and for joint deployment, armor plate means having a configuration substantially corresponding to that of said frame and adapted to assume a position of rest superposed thereon, said armor plate means being pivotally connected along a longitudinal line laterally offset from the major axis thereof to said frame to be raised to a tilted position facing one side of the device, said connections providing for a close coupled relation of adjacent devices whereby raised armor plate means of a train of devices presents an elongated substantially continuous revetment.
 8. A mobile revetment device according to claim 7, wherein said armor plate mean has a length and width to overlie front and rear wheels on at least one side of the frame, the longitudinal line along which the armor plate means is connected to said frame being substantially at one side edge of said frame and spaced inwardly of the corresponding side of said armor plate means whereby in a raised position said corresponding side edge of said armor plate means tilts downward toward ground surface in a protective relation to the wheels on said one side of the frame.
 9. A mobile revetment device according to claim 8, characterized by means for raising and for controlling the lowering of said armor plate means, including hydraulic piston-cylinder means disposing transversely of the frame and connected at one end to said armor plate means on the underside thereof, the other end being based substantially at the opposite or other side edge of said frame.
 10. A mobile revetment device according to claim 7, characterized by closure means pivotally mounted on said armor pLate means adjacent to at least one end thereof, said closure means being relatively adjustable to a projecting position substantially bridging the gap between the trailing end of the armor plate means of one device and the leading end of the armor plate means of the next adjacent trailing device, said closure means having a stored position substantially within the bounds of the armor plate means to which it is mounted. 